West Virginia Democrat. [volume] (Charles Town, W. Va.) 1885-1890, 1887-11-25
WALKING FOR PLEASURE.
What Weston, the Pedestrian, Says on
the Subject-Some Good Hints

What Weston, the Pedestrian, Says on
the Subject-Some Good Hints
ain the first place let me say that / have
never been a trainer at all. My theory Is
that walking is natural for man, and the
more artificial it is made, either by training
or methods, the worse. If l had been short
distance walker might have prepared my
self for races in a different way, for In trying
to make from one to ten miles in the quickest
possible time one must utilize every device
consistent with the rules OF the sport 70 de-
velop speed In long distance walking IL Is
endurance more than speed that IS requneo'
and, therefore, it is advisable to hamper ma
ture with as few as possible OF unusual conoi-
tions. When have been announced Tor
long walk, six days contest, or tnousano
mile walk or something Of that kind, nave
for a month or SO before 1t was to begin aD-
stained from all but the simplest, most nutrl-
tious food. Never a piece OF pie or CAKE
nothing alcoholic, no tobacco. FOR tnese
things really add to the work the system has
to do. would advise young men VINO pur-
pose taking walking vacation-and tnere =
no better way for city men to employ tner
brief summer outings-to adopt the same
regimen In fact, / have often thought IL
would be capital idea to inaugurate q series
of excursions for bank clerks, lawyers ana
other men Of Office occupations on the peoes-
trian plan. Let score or so 90 In party
taking the train to Albany, say, and then
walking by easy stages to the AdirondacKs
and through the mountains. They would re-
turn in better health than they ever Knew
before" -,
aDid Won practice to attain familiarity with
a special stride, or would you advise sucn
party of young men to do sor
@No. to both. I walked naturally. For
the best walking the heel and toe formula Is
bad. It brings an unnecessary strain upon
the tendons of the foot and in other ways u
productive Of bad results. II a man naturally
walks with short quick stride, let him con-
tinue to do SO unhesitatingly. Wear light,
broad shoes. The foot should lie fat and ex-
tended in the shoe with close nt across tne
instep. There should be plenty OF room ior
the air to go pumping up between the toes
with every step. That is healthfui and on
long walk cooling and comfortable. Even on
a short walk one should not consent to wear
the fashionable shoe that pinches the toes
together"
@The care OF the feet must be q matter OF
prime importance to young as well as expe-
rienced pedestrians, is it notT
Decidedly, and / think can show that the
strain of walking may be endured without
ANNOYANCE beyond natural WEAKNESS at the
end Of days journey. In the morning, be-
fore beginning the tramp, bathe in salt water:
There is no need of expensive salt. Ten cents
worth of ordinary material Is good ana
ample Wipe dry, and then bathe in whisky
or some other spirits. Repeat this treatment
at the close of the day, and continue it regu-
larly. l don't think there is better remedy
for WEAKNESS or better safeguard against
trouble It is a point that cannot be en-
phasized too strongly to those who contem-
plate long tramp. The strain comes heav-
lest ON the feet, and they should be carefully
looked after. But it is simple to do SO II the
treatment recommend is faithfully attended
to. Sleep Is matter that Is likely 10 give
great trouble. Unless man gets full and
adequate amount Of it every night ne WIN
break down soon on walk."-New York
Cor. Globe Democrat.